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McLeish confirms Dodds talks

By Paul Higham

Last Updated: 01/01/70 1:00am

RANGERS boss Alex McLeish has confirmed that Billy Dodds is in talks with Dundee United about a return to the club, but refused to comment on mounting speculation that Steven Thompson will be arriving at Ibrox in January.

McLeish admitted that The Arabs have been granted permission to speak to former Tannadice favourite Dodds over a return to Tayside.

Dodds has failed to break into the first team under McLeish and he is on the verge of returning to the club Rangers bought him from three years ago.

"We have given Dundee United permission to speak to him, but no decision has been made when he will leave the club," said McLeish.

"His contract is up at the end of the season.

"Doddsy will want things to be right from his point of view and we respect that, but everything has to be right for Rangers first.

"I don't want to patronise Doddsy, but his work rate at the club has been typical of Billy Dodds - it's just very difficult to get him into the side.

"I'm probably not his favourite person at the moment, but it is difficult to change a team that is winning and I can't keep everyone happy."

Scotland striker Thompson has been earning rave reviews for his displays for both club and country, and Rangers are believed to be in the driving seat.

Tangerines boss Paul Hegarty is desperate to keep the 24-year-old, but with his contract expiring at the end of the season, United may well be forced to take a reduced fee for the player instead of seeing him walk away for nothing.

Reports now suggest that the deal for Thompson is close to being completed, as talks to take Dodds in the opposite direction continue.